North Charleston raises flag protesting state rail plan

June 9, 2011 at 11:29 PM EST - Updated June 24 at 8:29 AM

(Photo: City of North Charleston)

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey was joined by city council members in placing the Gadsden flag atop the South Carolina State Flag in protest of the state's ongoing plan to place an intermodal rail facility on the former Navy Base with northern rail access.

The historical flag was designed and named after American General Christopher Gadsden, a South Carolina statesman during the American Revolution. It has a bright yellow field and a depiction of a coiled, ready to strike, rattlesnake with "DONT TREAD ON ME" text beneath.

"Just as with the American colonist, we are defending ourselves from a larger state, not standing idly by and allowing the quality of life of the citizens of North Charleston to be treaded upon," Mayor Summey said." The State struck first when it confiscated land on the former navy base through eminent domain and purchased other tracts with the clear intent of dishonoring previous agreements between itself and the City of North Charleston."

Mayor Summey went onto say,"Demagoguery has been used, painting the City as anti-port, anti-rail, and anti-business. Since incorporating in 1972, North Charleston has been a staunch proponent of each. We are home to vast and expanding port activities, location of all Lowcountry intermodal rail facilities, and the industrial and manufacturing epicenter of the State of South Carolina."

"For over two years we have shaken our rattles, but at this point we intend to strike back in court. Our current course will only be altered if the State honors its written commitments. We will not remain defenseless as our citizens' rights are trampled," Mayor Summey said.